Top contenders to be the next pope

Share via e-mail

Cardinals from around the world gather this week in a conclave to elect a new pope following the stunning resignation of Benedict XVI. In the secretive world of the Vatican, there is no way of knowing who is running. The archbishops that have come up repeatedly as strong contenders.

ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images

Sean Patrick O’Malley, 68

As archbishop of Boston, O’Malley has faced the fallout from the church’s abuse scandals for nearly a decade. The fact he is mentioned at all as a potential papal candidate is testament to his efforts to bring together an archdiocese at the forefront of the abuse disclosures. Like other American cardinals, the papal prospects for the 68-year-old O’Malley suffer because of the accepted belief that many papal electors oppose the risk of having US global policies spill over, even indirectly, onto the Vatican’s image. O’Malley is among the most Internet-savvy members of the conclave.

FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images

Angelo Bagnasco, 70

Archbishop of Genoa and head of the Italian bishops’ conference gives him influence in the conclave, where Italians represent the biggest national bloc.

JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76

Buenos Aires archbishop reportedly came up second in the 2005 papal election. A keen political sensibility and self-effacing humility that fellow cardinals value highly.

Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Timothy Dolan, 63

The archbishop of New York is an upbeat, affable defender of Catholic orthodoxy, and holds a job Pope John Paul II called ‘‘archbishop of the capital of the world.’’

ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images

Peter Erdo, 60

His family defied communism in Hungary to practice their faith. An expert on canon law and university theologian, he is seen as a compromise candidate.

BostonGlobe.com complimentary digital access has been provided to you, without a subscription, for free starting today and ending in 14 days. After the free trial period, your free BostonGlobe.com digital access will stop immediately unless you sign up for BostonGlobe.com digital subscription. Current print and digital subscribers are not eligible for the free trial.

Thanks & Welcome to Globe.com

You now have unlimited access for the next two weeks.

BostonGlobe.com complimentary digital access has been provided to you, without a subscription, for free starting today and ending in 14 days. After the free trial period, your free BostonGlobe.com digital access will stop immediately unless you sign up for BostonGlobe.com digital subscription. Current print and digital subscribers are not eligible for the free trial.